It was supposed to be a fun outing. Two friends out enjoying the new snow on snowmobiles, but it ended horribly when they were both ejected from their machines and the fall killed one of them.
The accident happened on Saturday, December 31. Police and rescue were called at 5:30 p.m.
According to the initial police report, “Wayne Gunnar Anderson, age 22, of Grand Marais was snowmobiling with a friend when he was separated from his machine and subsequently struck by the machine of the other rider on County Road 8 just north of Grand Marais.
“When medical personnel and Cook County sheriff ’s deputies arrived on scene, CPR was initiated and continued while Anderson was transported by Cook County Ambulance to North Shore Health in Grand Marais. Due to the severity of the injuries life saving measures were unsuccessful and Anderson passed away at North Shore Health.”
The next day Cook County Sheriff Pat Eliasen said the preliminary investigation into the fatal snowmobile accident “shows conditions beneath the snow impacted the skis on the two riders’ snowmobiles, causing them both to be thrown from their respective snowmobiles. The two riders were traveling along the ditch of County Road 8 north of Grand Marais where they encountered some deep crevices in the snow from a creek-bed and were ejected from their snowmobiles.
“Although a pathology autopsy report is pending, to confirm the cause of death for Anderson, medical professionals believe that he suffered a broken neck upon impact, as evidence of impact-related spinal trauma was present. Anderson was subsequently struck by the secondary snowmobile, but there were no additional blunt trauma injuries noted. Alcohol was not a factor in the accident.
“This investigation is ongoing and further details will be released by the Cook County Sheriff ’s Office when they are available.
“Our hearts are with the family and friends of the accident victims and a grieving community during this difficult time,” said Eliasen.
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